Everton may be looking for big changes in the summer transfer window.
Everton’s season has ultimately been a disappointment, as after heavy summer spending, they are set to miss out on a top seven finish after sacking Ronald Koeman back in October.
Replacement Sam Allardyce isn’t quite safe yet though, and the Toffees may pursue summer additions to boost their squad in search of a top seven push for next season.
With that in mind, here is a five-point plan for Everton to attack the summer transfer window after flopping last summer…
1. Back the manager – whoever that may be
Despite only appointing Sam Allardyce as Ronald Koeman’s replacement in November, Everton could be on the hunt for a new manager again this summer, with The Mirror reporting that they are keen to land Shakhtar Donetsk boss Paulo Fonseca. No matter whether it’s Allardyce, Fonseca or another manager in charge of the Toffees this summer, majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri should be prepared to back them heavily, and not be put off by the money wasted by former boss Koeman last summer.
2. Bring in a new central defender
Everton spent big money on Burnley defender Michael Keane last summer, but the England international has struggled to live up to his price tag at Goodison Park. With Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka both in their 30’s and Eliaquim Mangala’s loan move from Manchester City ending early due to injury, Everton need a central defender this summer – and it must be a priority to find a player who can ideally lead the back four and help Keane settle and fulfil his potential on Merseyside.
3. Make signing a left back a priority
How Everton manager to get through the last two transfer windows without signing a left back is something of a mystery, given that Leighton Baines is ageing and he has no proven cover behind him. Cuco Martina filled in, but with Luke Garbutt and Brendan Galloway failing to kick on, another left back is vital for Everton this summer, as they must find a player who can instantly cover for Baines if needed, and be the left back of the future for the Toffees.
4. Offload overpaid, underperforming flops
Everton have spent heavily in recent years, but they have been proof that money doesn’t always buy success, having wasted money on flops in recent times. Ashley Williams and Morgan Schneiderlin are two players primed for the chopping block, whilst even signings from last summer such as Davy Klaassen and Sandro Ramirez may be offloaded after disappointing starts to their Everton careers. Trimming numbers from the squad may also give Everton room to bring in more quality and help them realise their mistakes from recent windows.
5. Find a true partner for Idrissa Gueye
Schneiderlin’s move from Manchester United in January 2017 was supposed to signal an ideal partnership between the Frenchman and Idrissa Gueye, but that hasn’t exactly happened. Wayne Rooney and Tom Davies have both played in midfield this season, but if Schneiderlin can be offloaded, then signing another quality midfielder to partner Gueye and give Everton a solid base in the middle of the park must be focused on.
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